DURHAM, N.C.—Duke men’s soccer head coach John Kerr and his staff announced the addition of seven players who have officially joined the Blue Devil program. The group, featuring players from seven states and four with U.S. Youth National Team experience , will arrive to Duke in August for the 2018 season. Top Drawer Soccer rates the Blue Devils’ class as the sixth best nationally noting that Duke has signed promising talent.

Nii Engmann – Forward – Shoreline, Wash. – Crossfire Premier

Kerr on Nii

“Nii is a very athletic target striker who has a wicked change of pace. He is incredibly strong on the ball and is very dangerous in the open field. He has a knack for being in the right spot to score goals inside the penalty area.”

Before Duke: A member of Crossfire Premier … Started nine of 14 games for the club this past fall and tallied 11 goals … Team went 11-2-3 overall in the fall and resumes its schedule in February … Helped lead squad to the 2017 Surf Cup title … Crossfire Premier posted a 15-8-8 record last year and earned a wildcard spot in the Development Academy playoffs … Engmann started in 21 of the 29 games he played in 2016-17 and scored eight goals … Helped lead team to national quarterfinals in 2017 … Crossfire captured 2016 Surf Cup title and was the Washington State Champions in 2015 … Played one season of high school soccer and earned first team all-state recognition.

Eliot Hamill –Goalkeeper – Scarsdale, N.Y. – Golden Touch Soccer

Kerr on Eliot

“Eliot is a very athletic goalkeeper and has a huge upside. He possesses a great shot-stopping ability and is able to dominate the box in the air thanks to his outstanding leaping ability. He will bolster our goalkeeping corps for sure.”

Before Duke: A three-year member of Golden Touch United and most recently competed for NY Surf Golden Touch … Four-time captain and team most valuable player … The captain and starting goalkeeper for Golden Touch … Anchored the team to the 2017 EDP North fall title as well as the 2016 EDP spring 2016 crown … Advanced to the Disney Showcase in 2016 and the semifinals of the Manhattan Kick-Off Classic … Was a part of the New York State Cup championship squad in 2013 … The 2015 MAPS Fall Challenge Champion … Also played high school soccer for Edgemont High School … Two-time all-state selection … Garnered all-league accolades three times and was voted to the All-Section One team as a junior and senior.

“Conor is a crafty midfielder who loves to attack and has a competitive streak that is second to none. He is a winner and will do whatever he can to help his team to victory. Conor has the ability to have an immediate impact on our team.”

Before Duke: Played his club soccer with Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth … Has started eight games for the U18-19 squad during the first portion of the 2017-18 campaign and has two goals … Led the squad in goals (13) and assists (12) during the 2015-16 campaign … Earned a spot on the U16 academy squad that toured Spain and played against three Spanish clubs … Has scored 32 goals in just over three academy seasons with the Cedar Stars, making him the highest scorer in academy games in club history … Voted for the Development Academy Summer Showcase U16 Best XI .. .Tabbed 47th best prospect according to College Soccer News.

Seth Kuhn – Midfield – Wyomissing, Pa. – Philadelphia Union Academy

Top Drawer Soccer: Three stars

IMG Academy 150: No. 61

College Soccer News Rank: 118

Kerr on Seth

“Seth probably has the one of the best passing ranges I’ve seen in the US Soccer Development Academy. He has the ability to play virtually any ball, whether it is short balls, long balls, diagonal balls, driven balls, straight balls or whatever is needed. He is a very talented player and has excellent vision and is a very savvy positional player as well.”

Before Duke: Comes to Duke as a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy … Started 13 games for the team this past fall … Helped lead the team to a 10-2-2 overall record … Was a part of the starting XI in 21 of the 25 games in 2016-17 and scored six goals … Guided the Union to a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division in 2016-17 with a 14-6-6 overall record and a spot in the playoffs … Team will resume its spring 2018 season in March … Called into two U15 and one U17 U.S. National Team camps … Sister Cassidy runs track and cross country at University of San Diego and brother Austin Kuhn played soccer at Penn.

“Ian is a very athletic, left-footed back with the ability to play both as a center or an outside back. He is an excellent crosser of the ball and has a delicate touch with his left foot. He is capable of getting forward, serving dangerous crosses into the box and putting himself into dangerous positions as well.”

Before Duke: Plays for FC Golden State Academy … Attended one semester of residency with the U.S. U17 Youth National Team … Has started all 14 games for the U18-19 team during the 2017-18 season and owns two goals as a defender … Spent time with the U15-16 squad in 2016-17, starting 12 games to help FC Golden State to a first-place finish in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference … Bumped up two years to play with the U17-18 club in 2016-17 after starting with the younger squad … Started 27 games … Helped lead FC Golden State U15-16 team to the USSDA Playoff quarterfinals in 2015-16 … Team advanced to the finals of the Dallas Cup in 2014-15.

“Issa is a crafty player who can play both wide or centrally. He loves to take people on on the dribble and can create his own shot. He is a really deft passer and crosser of the ball, but perhaps most importantly loves to attack and go forward. I think he’s going to have a big impact early in his career at Duke.”

Before Duke: A member of the Philadelphia Union Academy for the past three years … Called up to a U17 U.S. National Team Camp … Started nine of 14 games played this past fall and registered five goals … In 2016-17 he started 16 of 20 games played and notched four goals as the Union took third in the Atlantic Division and clinched a playoff spot … In his first season with the program he started 17 of 20 contests and netted a career-best 10 goals … Played for Vardar Academy during his U14 season before enrolling in YSC Academy and joining the Philadelphia Union.

“Aedan is a winner in all facets. He is highly motivated and has a fabulous left foot. His excellent skills are matched by his intensity on the field. Aedan is as tough as nails and like Conor Kelly has a competitive streak that is hard to find.”

Before Duke: A member of St. Louis FC Academy and in the men’s youth national team pools … Recently called up to the U.S. U20 national team camp and Summit camp … Was one of 12 defenders called in for the Summit Camp run by Tab Ramos … Has 14 youth national team call ups overall … Has started all eight games in the fall portion of the 2017-18 academy schedule … Started all 20 games he played during the 2015-16 campaign and netted two goals as a defender … Team went 12-10-3 … A part of the U.S. U18 Men’s National Team that competed at the Lisbon International Tournament … One of 21 players selected this past October for U.S. U18 International Training Camp in Spain … A starter for the U.S. U18 squad that captured the 2016 Václav Ježek Tournament in August of 2016.w

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